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The Capability Concept and the Evolution of European Social Policy

Author

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  • Simon Deakin

Abstract

Amartya Sen’s capability approach has the potential to counter neoliberal critiques of social welfare systems by overcoming the false opposition between security and flexibility. In particular, it can be used to promote the idea of social rights as the foundation of active participation by individuals in the labour market. This idea is starting to be reflected in the case law of the European Court of Justice concerning free movement of persons but its use in the European employment strategy is so far more limited, thanks to the continuing influence of neoliberal ‘activation policies’.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Deakin, 2005. "The Capability Concept and the Evolution of European Social Policy," Working Papers wp303, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
    • Handle: RePEc:cbr:cbrwps:wp303
    Note: PRO-2
    as

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    File URL: https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cbrwp303.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Simon Deakin & Hannah Reed, 2000. "The Contested Meaning of Labour Market Flexibility: Economic Theory and the Discourse of European Integration," Working Papers wp162, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
    2. Deakin, Simon & Wilkinson, Frank, 2005. "The Law of the Labour Market: Industrialization, Employment, and Legal Evolution," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198152811.
    3. Helen Robinson, 2003. "Gender and Labour Market Performance in the Recovery," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Richard Dickens & Paul Gregg & Jonathan Wadsworth (ed.), The Labour Market Under New Labour, chapter 15, pages 232-247, Palgrave Macmillan.
    4. Creighton, Colin, 1999. "The Rise and Decline of the 'Male Breadwinner Family' in Britain," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 23(5), pages 519-541, September.
    5. Richard Dickens & Paul Gregg & Jonathan Wadsworth (ed.), 2003. "The Labour Market Under New Labour," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-0-230-59845-4.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Olejniczak, Michael, 2012. "Long-term Unemployment and the Capability Approach – The Case of the German Labor Market," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 23(2), pages 140-157.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    capabilities; welfare state; social rights; European Union law;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J38 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Public Policy
    • K31 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Labor Law

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